ROCHESTER — The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts was honored with the Governor’s Arts Award for Creative Communities on Wednesday, Oct. 8, during a ceremony in the Executive Council chambers at the State House in Concord.
The Governor’s Arts Awards, presented biennially by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts since 1980, recognize individuals and organizations that have made lasting contributions to the state’s cultural life.
“Our state is home to a vibrant arts community that contributes to our economy and provides opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy music, museums and more,” said Gov. Kelly Ayotte. “I am proud to present this year’s Governor’s Arts Awards and recognize the talent and creativity we have here in New Hampshire.”
Amy Regan and Matt Wyatt, co-founders of the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts working on an art installation along Columbus Street.
The RMFA is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit community art initiative dedicated to the accessibility of contemporary works made by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists. Founded in 2011, the organization works to enrich people’s lives through the presentation of fine art. The permanent collection and other rotating exhibitions are prominently displayed in the halls and Suite 135 of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center and Rochester Public Library, in partnership with the city of Rochester.
“We are so honored to receive this award and represent Rochester on the state level,” said RMFA co-founder Matt Wyatt. “We want everyone to be able to enjoy art for free. Our alternative version of an art museum is a sustainable model that is easily replicable with the right people and energy. We encourage other communities to look at what we’ve done and copy us. Improve it, make it better, bigger … Art belongs everywhere.”
The Creative Communities Award honors a city, town, village government, community-wide organization, or individual that has significantly fostered the arts through funding or program initiatives within the past three years. Past recipients have been recognized for achievements such as major municipal support for cultural facilities, the development of public art programs, the creation of unique public/private partnerships to promote cultural tourism, and significant increases in local support for the arts.
“Creating exhibition opportunities is foundational to our work,” said RMFA Co-Founder Amy Regan. “The New England community is filled with talented, generous artists who work on their craft each day. Being able to showcase and uplift this work is my greatest pleasure, as well as meeting and learning from so many genuine people along the way.”
Over the years, the award has recognized a wide range of communities and organizations across New Hampshire, from major cities to small towns and local nonprofits. Past recipients include municipalities such as the city of Nashua (1989, 2017), city of Manchester (2001), city of Portsmouth (2005), city of Claremont (1999), and the city of Rochester (1997). Community organizations have also been recognized, including the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce (1991), Dover Arts Commission (2021), Exeter Arts Committee (1993), and Creative Guts (2023).
To learn more about the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, visit nharts.dncr.nh.gov, and to learn more about the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, visit rochestermfa.org.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester Museum of Fine Arts earns governor’s award